ANZ projects that Australians will spend $611 million during the upcoming Father’s Day weekend, marking a 3.45% increase from last year. The bank’s data indicates that both gifts and experiences are popular ways to celebrate, with anticipated growth in spending on dining out, wineries, clothing, and accessories.
In 2024, key categories for Father’s Day spending included cafes and restaurants, wineries and bottle shops, clothing, camping gear, sports equipment, and music. Other areas showing increased activity were motor vehicles and accessories, health-related services, charitable donations, and memberships.
Yiken Yang, ANZ Acting Managing Director of Retail Products, stated: “Father’s Day continues to be a powerful moment of connection for Australians, with spending trends reflecting a desire to celebrate through both meaningful experiences and thoughtful gifts.
“Over the Father’s Day weekend, ANZ customers embrace everything from dining out to charitable giving to honour the father figures in their lives. We expect many dads to be spoiled with a nice dinner, some new socks, or a brand-new vinyl for his record player this year.”
The 2024 data also shows women spent more than men on Father’s Day purchases—especially in food-related categories as well as camping supplies, music items, and stationery. Gen X was the top-spending generation followed by millennials; however Gen Z showed the highest annual growth at 22%.
Victoria recorded the largest total spend over the holiday weekend with an additional $9.1 million compared to an average weekend. South Australia had the greatest percentage uplift at 6.3%. All states and territories saw per capita increases above 35%.
Comparing Father’s Day to Mother’s Day reveals distinct patterns: higher spending on motor vehicles and computers occurs for Father’s Day while health and beauty see greater activity around Mother’s Day. Women tend to spend more on Father’s Day; men spend more on Mother’s Day.
ANZ credit and debit card data from 2024 shows total spending during Father’s Day weekend reached $591 million—a 6.7% increase over 2023. Per capita spending rose by more than 35% in every state compared to normal weekends.
Victorians spent $165 million—the most nationwide—while Western Australia (8.8%), Australian Capital Territory (8.1%), and Queensland (7.5%) had the highest year-on-year growth rates. Northern Territory residents led per capita spend at $267 with a 4.1% rise from last year.
More purchases occurred on Saturday (56%) than Sunday of the holiday weekend—possibly due to last-minute preparations—with peak restaurant spending between 5pm and 7pm as families chose dinner outings over lunch.
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